Concussion expected to sideline Roethlisberger

Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger is expected to miss tonight’s game at Baltimore because of a concussion.

Persons familiar with Roethlisberger’s status spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity yesterday because the team has not made an announcement.

The development would force Dennis Dixon — who has thrown only one pass in two NFL seasons — to make his first NFL start in a game the Steelers might need to win to make the playoffs.

Roethlisberger practiced all week despite sustaining his fourth concussion since 2006 during a 27-24 overtime loss last Sunday in Kansas City. On Thursday, during his only interview of the week, he said he had been cleared to play, joking he passed “thousands of tests.”

Roethlisberger, however, experienced headaches resulting from the concussion — his head struck the knee of Chiefs linebacker Derrick Johnson as he leaned headfirst during a running play in overtime — and he began debating the wisdom of playing after consulting with the team’s medical staff.

The Steelers continued to list Roethlisberger as questionable yesterday, meaning there is a 50-50 chance he would play — creating the possibility Roethlisberger could decide at game time he is ready to go, if cleared by team physicians. There also is a possibility he would be listed as the third quarterback, allowing him to play in an emergency.

FoxSports.com first reported that Roethlisberger would not play.

Dixon, the former Oregon quarterback who has not played this season, took more snaps than usual in practice Friday — the first sign Roethlisberger’s status might change. Coach Mike Tomlin said Tuesday the team expected Roethlisberger to play, and there were no signs Wednesday or Thursday he wouldn’t.

The Steelers (6-4), losers of their last two and a game behind Cincinnati (7-3) in the AFC North, were so convinced Roethlisberger would play that they did not sign an experienced quarterback even after backup Charlie Batch broke his left wrist a few plays after replacing Roethlisberger last Sunday. Their game plan for the Ravens (5-5) also was built around Roethlisberger playing.

TWENTY-FIVE SEMIFINALISTS FOR HALL: Jerry Rice and Emmitt Smith are among 25 semifinalists for the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Former Raiders receiver Tim Brown and Cardinals and Rams defensive back Aeneas Williams were the only other players selected in their first year of eligibility.

Rice and Smith hold some of the NFL’s biggest records. Smith is the league’s all-time leading rusher with 18,355 yards for the Cowboys and Cardinals from 1990-2004. Rice is the all-time leading receiver with 1,549 catches for 22,895 yards with the 49ers, Raiders and Seahawks from 1985-2004.

The semifinalists include a coach, Don Coryell, and two contributors, Art Modell and former Commissioner Paul Tagliabue.

The list will be reduced to 15 by Jan. 7. Dick LeBeau and Floyd Little have already been selected as finalists by the Seniors Committee.

FALCONS’ TURNER QUESTIONABLE: Atlanta Falcons running back Michael Turner got limited work in practice this week and is listed as questionable for today’s game against Tampa Bay.

Turner, the Falcons’ leading rusher, sustained a high right ankle sprain against Carolina on Nov. 15 and sat out last week’s loss to the New York Giants. The Falcons (5-5) have lost four of five but have the next three games at home, beginning with the Bucs (1-9).

GAGE DOUBTFUL: Former MU standout Justin Gage did some running on the side Friday, though the Tennessee Titans wide receiver still has not practiced since a Nov. 8 back injury against San Francisco.

Gage, who suffered fractures of the transverse process bones in his back, is listed as doubtful for the Tennessee Titans game today against the Arizona Cardinals.

SAINTS HONORING GLOVER: La’Roi Glover, who was claimed off waivers just prior to the 1997 season and went on to be a dominating force in the middle of the defensive line for the next five seasons, is being added to the New Orleans Saints “Hall of Honor.”

Between 1997 and 2001, Glover had 50 sacks — sixth-best in franchise history — and 318 tackles with 10 forced fumbles and five fumble recoveries.

Glover made two Pro Bowl appearances and was a two-time All-Pro selection as a Saint. He earned four NFC Defensive Player of the Week awards along with being named NFC Defensive Player of the Month in October 2000.

His performance in 2000 helped push the Saints to an NFC West division title and the first postseason victory in team history, as he led the league with 17 sacks, the third consecutive season that he led the team in sacks.